DrLex
Member Since: 15 Jul 2005
Location: Ciderspace [Oi be in Zummerset]
Posts: 4863
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| Removing "Stuck-On" Number Plates |
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I'll be changing plates on my D3 later on, and just happened to notice that the existing plates are stuck on to the vehicle (front bumper/tailgate), rather than screwed on (which I had expected).
Anyone had any issues with just pulling the plates off? Should I try a bit of preparation first (heat/solvent)? Am I just being a softie southerner about the risk of losing the finish on the vehicle?  Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana
Member of Club Med Sucks
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 17th Aug 2005 12:57 pm |
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Martin
Site Admin and Owner
Member Since: 06 Nov 2004
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 18573
  
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They should just pull off with a sharp tug 
You could park it in the sunshine for a bit to get a little bit of heat into the panel/bumper, might help a bit. 06 D3 SE / 15 LR D90 XS SW / 88 LR 90 Td5 / 68 BMW 2000 ti
Any issues with the site let me know!
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| 17th Aug 2005 1:13 pm |
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Slimer
Site Moderator
Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Last Exit to Nowhere
Posts: 16295
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Martin wrote:You could park it in the sunshine for a bit to get a little bit of heat into the panel/bumper, might help a bit.
or warm them up with a hairdryer The End
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| 17th Aug 2005 1:17 pm |
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Martin
Site Admin and Owner
Member Since: 06 Nov 2004
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 18573
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Slimer wrote:or warm them up with a hairdryer
Too much effort, and don't mention hair-related activities  06 D3 SE / 15 LR D90 XS SW / 88 LR 90 Td5 / 68 BMW 2000 ti
Any issues with the site let me know!
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| 17th Aug 2005 1:21 pm |
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Slimer
Site Moderator
Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Last Exit to Nowhere
Posts: 16295
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Do you think it'll upset 10 as he hasn't got any?
Ooops, gone  Sorry The End
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| 17th Aug 2005 1:25 pm |
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BN
Member Since: 18 Mar 2005
Location: Here
Posts: 6463
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The idea of the stick on number plate is to stop the theft of them. In theory, they should tear the back of the plate if you pull them off. Many have been stolen due to Gatso. I know of a guy who's wife was playing around, so he hired a car the same her her boyfriends, put copies of the boyfriends plates on the hire car ran through loads of gatso's. Thieves do the same. Go to a dealer, they have a solvent (or should have) to avoid damage. Heat can secure them more, careful.
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| 17th Aug 2005 1:32 pm |
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mattlynch
Member Since: 22 May 2005
Location: Southport, UK
Posts: 92
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Should pull off easily, my front plate fell off after some 'gentle' off roading. Good job I noticed!!
Matt Disco 3 TDV6 S (Everyday and laning!)
Series 3 Ex-military Lightweight (Toy!!!)
Smart Roadster (commuting only!)
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| 17th Aug 2005 3:00 pm |
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BN
Member Since: 18 Mar 2005
Location: Here
Posts: 6463
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mattlynch wrote:Should pull off easily, my front plate fell off after some 'gentle' off roading. Good job I noticed!!
Matt
They did not use the correct pads then. I have a patent with Hills number plates in Birmingham and the idea is that to stop the theft and further use of plates they should be damaged irrepairably.
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| 17th Aug 2005 3:55 pm |
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mwestcrew
Member Since: 24 May 2005
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 334
 
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I had to change mine because the dealer put the wrong reg number on (only one letter, it took me three weeks to notice!!!) and the rear one simply pulled off. I t did leave some of the double sided behind but that just "rolled" off 2011 D4 Landmark, Mini Cooper SD Clubman, Range Rover Vogue SE
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| 17th Aug 2005 4:26 pm |
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BN
Member Since: 18 Mar 2005
Location: Here
Posts: 6463
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mwestcrew wrote:I had to change mine because the dealer put the wrong reg number on (only one letter, it took me three weeks to notice!!!) and the rear one simply pulled off. I t did leave some of the double sided behind but that just "rolled" off
The correct adhesive should be a yellow colour and very thin, not foam pad type and white. Often dealers use the old stuff, which is just foam double sided sticky. These allow the car joy riders to nick your number plates overnight or when in car parks so they can use them, then you get the prosecution later.
I have another patent coming out this month with Hills, which should stop all of that. Can't say untill September.
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| 17th Aug 2005 4:32 pm |
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Slimer
Site Moderator
Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Last Exit to Nowhere
Posts: 16295
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Haven't looked that closely at mine but judging by the gap between the back one and the rear panel it's stuck on with the foam pads The End
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| 17th Aug 2005 4:45 pm |
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BN
Member Since: 18 Mar 2005
Location: Here
Posts: 6463
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Slimer wrote:Haven't looked that closely at mine but judging by the gap between the back one and the rear panel it's stuck on with the foam pads
Most are unfortunately. Foam just tears away, but its a lot cheaper. Also the weather and washing deteriorates foam, so it rots, then the plate falls off anyway.
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| 17th Aug 2005 4:48 pm |
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Ron Dunbar
Member Since: 03 Aug 2005
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 22
 
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| Removing "Stuck-On" Number Plates |
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To remove almost all double sided tapes, use an aerosol can of "Label Remover", available to the public through Maplin Electronics shops.
This stuff smells like really strong orangey smell. I've used it successfully without any damage on Volvo, Mercedes and Range Rover paintwork.
Important Notes
1. To use, spray it down the back of the number plate a number of times over say 30 minutes, then gently pull away the number plate. You might want to use a plastic kitchen spatula or something to encourage it.
2. Probably not advisable to leave it on overnight. It washes off easily with soapy water.
3. While it seems not to affect paintwork or any car bumper plastics, it will affect some plastics, especially clear acrylics (screens, windows, CD covers etc.) and I did ruin the finish on a cheap PC case once.. But car bumpers are OK.
4. If of a nervous disposition, try a small corner somewhere first.
Once you've got this stuff you'll find all sorts of uses. With a good soaking, it even softens most silicon bathroom/window sealants.
Hope this helps Ron Dunbar
Grey D4 TDV6 HSE
Skoda TDi Roomster Scout
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| 17th Aug 2005 5:08 pm |
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Slimer
Site Moderator
Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Last Exit to Nowhere
Posts: 16295
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'Agent Orange' 
Wonderful stuff, I always have a can around at home  The End
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| 17th Aug 2005 5:23 pm |
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BN
Member Since: 18 Mar 2005
Location: Here
Posts: 6463
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Slimer wrote:'Agent Orange'
Wonderful stuff, I always have a can around at home
I would just get the dealer to do it, then they can do the repair if it goes wrong.
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| 17th Aug 2005 5:29 pm |
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